Letter to his wife on slavery (selections; December 27, 1856)

by Robert E. Lee

The steamer also brought the President's message to Cong; & the reports
of the various heads of Depts; the proceedings of Cong: &c &c. So that
we are now assured, that the Govt: is in operation, & the Union in
existence, not that we had any fears to the Contrary, but it is Satisfactory
always to have facts to go on. They restrain Supposition & Conjecture,
Confirm faith, & bring Contentment: I was much pleased with the President's
message & the report of the Secy of War, the only two documents that have
reached us entire. Of the others synopsis [sic] have only arrived. The views of
the Pres: of the Systematic & progressive efforts of certain people of the
North, to interfere with & change the domestic institutions of the South,
are truthfully & faithfully expressed. The Consequences of their plans &
purposes are also clearly set forth, & they must also be aware, that their
object is both unlawful & entirely foreign to them & their duty; for
which they are irresponsible & unaccountable; & Can only be accomplished
by them through the agency of a Civil & Servile war. In this enlightened
age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an
institution, is a moral & political evil in any Country. It is useless to
expatiate on its disadvantages. I think it however a greater evil to the white
man than to the black race, & while my feelings are strongly enlisted in
behalf of the latter, my sympathies are more strong for the former. The blacks
are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially &
physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing, is necessary for their
instruction as a race, & I hope will prepare & lead them to better
things. How long their subjugation may be necessary is known & ordered by a
wise Merciful Providence. Their emancipation will sooner result from the mild
& melting influence of Christianity, than the storms & tempests of fiery
Controversy. This influence though slow, is sure. The doctrines & miracles
of our Saviour have required nearly two thousand years, to Convert but a small
part of the human race, & even among Christian nations, what gross errors
still exist! While we see the Course of the final abolition of human Slavery is
onward, & we give it the aid of our prayers & all justifiable means in
our power, we must leave the progress as well as the result in his hands who
sees the end; who Chooses to work by slow influences; & with whom two
thousand years are but as a Single day. Although the Abolitionist must know
this, & must See that he has neither the right or power of operating except
by moral means & suasion, & if he means well to the slave, he must not
Create angry feelings in the Master; that although he may not approve the mode
which it pleases Providence to accomplish its purposes, the result will
nevertheless be the same; that the reasons he gives for interference in what he
has no Concern, holds good for every kind of interference with our neighbors
when we disapprove their Conduct; Still I fear he will persevere in his evil
Course. Is it not strange that the descendants of those pilgrim fathers who
Crossed the Atlantic to preserve their own freedom of opinion, have always
proved themselves intolerant of the Spiritual liberty of others?